Trend Report: Spring/Summer 2013 (Part II)

Hey! Let's continue with the previous post on the upcoming S/S season's trends.

6. Sheer

This was the most common trend of all the S/S '13, it was everywhere hence I had a hard time picking only four looks to share with you. I fell in love with the flowers and animals plaid applications over sheer pieces at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the designer also did some sheer paneling on the classic "I Heart New York" t-shirts, very grungy. And Chloé, oh Chloé, it was filled with femininity and lightness presenting see-through  looks with delicate frills. Reed Krakoff, pushed the veiled look to another level; he made neutral colored sheer jackets over sheer shirts and layered mesh shorts and matching mesh shoes; a true transparency festival but with the minimalistic touch that defines Krakoff's aesthetic. As for Christopher Kane, well he's a genius, and it was perfect; he placed delicately a layer of rubber-molded little bows over sheer skirts, dresses and coats.

7. Full Leather

This is not a common trend for summer, because when the sun hits, it hits hard submitting us to temperatures reaching 35°C or 95 F, and believe me you don't wanna get caught wearing leather from head to toe. But don't get me wrong I'm absolutely crazy about this from the sleek color skirts on Derek Lam, to the sliced leather techniques of Alexander Wang and Dion Lee very Blade Runner-like and the outerwear look dresses from  Marni and Salvatore Ferragamo (look a those knee-high peep-toe croc boots, out of this world!)

8. Printed T-Shirt
The reign of the printed t-shirts continues and I'm loving it. Let's savor those rare moments when fashion meets comfort. How cool is that t-shirt from Phillip Lim? I'm thinking DIY.

9. Shades of Orange

If you want to be bold and add some color to your summer wardrobe, it definitely has to be from the orange variety. This is a really difficult color to wear, as you can see in the picture below every look from each designer is very simple: simple silhouettes, a natural make-up, no jewelry and sleek hairstyle; because they want full attention on the color itself.

10. Patchwork

Creating patchwork patterns is not an easy task, but the results make all of it worth it. For instance, I never would have imagined how amazing could be the mix of lace and snake print, or the combination of various shades of denim in one shirt (3.1 Phillip Lim) or the 3D effect created by  multiple colored frames (Fendi). But the masters in this technique are Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough from Proenza Schouler, only them could mix about five different snake prints or the always tricky digital prints featuring plantations, forests and crowd scenes  and incorporate this patchwork into beautifully made dresses, skirt and to-die-for jackets; we could say that patchwork has become a signature of this New York based fashion house.  

Trend Report: Spring/Summer 2013 (Part I)

During Fashion Week designers offer their unique vision of  upcoming season's fashion, however there are always some trends that repeat from designer to designer. Check out the trends for S/S 2013.

1. Black & White Pattern

A timeless classic, so don't be afraid of buying some B&W striped or pants or ckeckered top because this trend tends to make its comeback every once in while.For those of us who can't afford Balmain or LV, go visit Zara, they even have a wannabe version of that awesome Michael Kors Blazer.

2. Flowers

Flowers are always a classic trend for spring, but this time it presents itself with some twists: mixed with B&W, another strong trend for this season (Etro);  fabricflowers skirts gloriously paired with plaid accents (Dries Van Noten);  black and white tropical floral-print with red embroidery ( Isabel Marant) and floral tangerine print patterned with lilac lace (Erdem).

3. Total White

Another S/S classic, but for this season is more of a suit situation (loving that one from Calvin Klein Collection) rather than those boring beachy maxi-dresses. I must confess that I personally have never tried the whole white look, but this season I'm determined to give it a go. A total white look is not completed without the perfect white sandals, white handbag and a light dewy makeup. Oh and how sick is that Christopher Kane jacket, ugh!

4. Frills

The ruffles were a common denominator for the S/S '13 runways, we could spotted on a lot of collections like Prabal Gurng, Gucci, Balenciaga, Petter Pilotto, Chloé, Givenchy,  J.W. Anderson, etc. The garments presented frills around the neckline (Givenchy), along the sleeves (Gucci), at the end of sleeves and on skirt's hem (Peter Pilotto and Balenciaga) and through the whole garment ( Prabal Gurung).

This trend is already on almost every store there is so go go go!

5. Asian Influence

The far Eastern trend came to us for this spring in the form of beautiful origami pleats, robes accentuated at the waist with wide belts simulating kimonos, dresses with sharp-edged shoulders and wide piping like samurai's battle garments and exquisite bomber jackets/kimonos with Asian military motif embroidery something only Peter Dundas could achieve.

Stay tunned for 5 more trends for this Spring/Summer 2013 season!

Alexander Wang for Balenciaga

Well, I promised I'll keep you posted on the Balenciaga situation, so now I'm pleased to share with you the news that has shaken the fashion industry: Alexander Wang is the new fashion director of one of the most important fashion houses in France, yes I'm  talking about Balenciaga.

After many rumors that pointed Christopher Kane, a designer with aesthetics more similar to Balenciaga as a brand than Alexander Wang's streetstyle vibe, as the successor of Nicholas Ghesquière's reign, the announcement is official Alexander Wang for Balenciaga, a decision I never would have guessed, which makes it even more exciting and definitely marks the beginning of a new era for the house.

Wang's designs embodies the image of a hip model off-duty/laid-back and cool big city girl with a masculine accent, appealing a much younger market. He possesses the ability of creating an urban fantasy we all want to be part of and that's what makes his collections so commercial not only in America, but the whole world.

In order to achieve his signature streetchic vibe, Wang draws upon an exceptional selection of models for the runway and embracing the casual uniform: slouchy t-shirts, skinny trousers, parkas and leather jackets, but adding those extra details or mixing them together in a way only he can, achieving the most important goal for a designer: making clothes that women actually WANT to wear.

In my opinion, the decision of bringing Alexander Wang to Balenciaga is rather for business than anything else. His designs, including the clothing and the successful accessories collections, have become the ultimate object of desire and hopefully he will be able to bring that charm to Balenciaga. 

Alexander Wang has a very difficult task in his hands; because as I said, before Nicholas Ghesquière is a tough act to follow,but only time will tell and while we wait take a look at Alexander Wang's magnificent past collections.

Although, we still don't know what's going to happen with Nicholas Ghesquière, is he launching his own brand?, is he gonna be the designer of another big fashion house? or is he just simply taking a break?, don't worry I'll keep you posted.

On Trend: Quilted

Quilting is a technique that involves sewing two or more layers of fabric together to obtain a bulkier material. Although this technique had its beginnings in medieval Europe, it reached popularity in the world of fashion with the iconic Chanel 2.55 bag in 1955.

Nowadays, quilting has become one of the favorite techniques used by important designer like Lazaro Hernandez and Jack Mccollough from Proenza Schouler, Olivier Roustieng from Balmain and of course Karl Lagerfeld from Chanel. 

The quilted finish give the clothes the exact amount of volume we need and also offers a subtlety and refinement every outfit you wear, you just have to remember not to wear it all at once, I mean DO NOT WEAR quilted pants and quilted jacket over quilted shirt with quilted bag, or else you might not be able to fit through the door.

The Bomber Jacket: This piece is the key to tone down an outfit, turning it into a more casual and sportive look. For more sporty meets fashion outfits take a look at this previous post post.

ADIDAS Quilted Bomber Jacket from Asos

The Skirt: A black pencil skirt is basic in our wardrobe, but a quilted pencil skirt is unexpected and adds elegance to your outfits.

Quilted Pencil Skirt from Mango

The Bag: Try a quilted mini backpack and remember the old days of hand-painting and fighting for the swings in preschool but with more style.

Mini Quilted Backpack Asos

The Leather Jacket: For a badass biker chick look, go for a leather jacket with padding details very similar to this Burberry one, Cara Delevingne's favorite. 

Quilted Leather Jacket Zara

Best of: Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga

Unbelievable! Nicolas Ghesquière, Balenciaga's creative director, says adieu after 15 years of career in the aforementioned French fashion house. 

The very talented designer, known for his unique ability to play with volumes and textures, gave Balenciaga a new direction with innovative silhouettes and color palletes, combining hard-edged and feminine aesthetics, modernizing the house image and turning it into one of the most prestigious and coveted brands by celebrities  (remember the giant city tote, it was everywhere!!!) including Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kristen Stewart, the face of Balenciaga's latest fragrance Florabotanica, which was inspired by S/S 2008 collection.

I know two things for sure: first; Ghesquière's successor is going to have very big shoes to fill, and second; this is not the last thing we will hear from Nicolas Ghesquière, a fashion designer as talented and creative as he is, doesn't come by very often, rumor has it he's preparing the launch of his own label (I will keep you posted).

Let's celebrate Nicolas Ghesquière career in Balenciaga with a look back at his greatest collections. Enjoy!

Images via Style.com

Pump up the volume: Vika Gazinskaya

Vika Gazinskaya is a Russian designer who debuted her first collection in 2007 and a street style star. Her interesting pieces always give the impression they are made out of paper, which adds a a little whimsy to the sophistication exuded by her collections.

Gazinkaya's SS 2013 Ready-To-Wear collection features ladylike shapes with very elaborate patchwork construction simulating landscapes and overlying clouds, roughly drown raindrops and clouds prints and of course, one of her signatures, exaggerated volumes with giants frills running down the sleeves and on the skirt hems.

This collection invites you to break out of ordinary and classic shapes and go a little further with more fun and daring pieces, but never leaving the refinement of it all.

Photos via Style.com

Vika wore her own creations during Paris Fashion Week Spring 2013 alongside fashion stylists like Hanelli Mustaparta, Viviana Volpicella, Anya Ziourova and Marina Larroude.

Bold Bold Red Lips at Prada SS13

Jessica Stam, Prada SS13. Photo from Style.com.

The makeup consists in a light white eyeshadow, bold red lips outlined with CoverGirl LipPerfection lip liner in Passion and then filled with the lipstick in the Hot shade and a trace of white pencil liner in the cupid bow.

CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipstick in Hot

CoverGirl LipPerfection Lip Liner in Passion

    

P.S. Aren't those glasses pure perfection? Love them!